Running car without Spider capote mechanism - possible?

So you are not worried about the "millions" of electrical and cosmetic issues which might be caused by the car being caught out in the rain? Not to mention the cost of producing a coverplate for the removed roof cassette.

The roof wiring may include the electric glovebox release mechanism. The one between the seats. Is the car a 360 or 430?

The roof warning system would have to be disabled. I don't know if there is is a digital or analog signal going to the Instrument Panel from the Roof ECU (which I assume you would be removing). You may have to fool the Window ECU into thinking the roof is up. This is also tied to the Roof ECU.

 

I dont think it a terrible idea. But I'd be super worried about resell value.

 

It’s been a while since I’ve been deep in the back part of the top mechanism but I think your issue would be fixing it down. Not saying it’s not possible but it would require some metal fab I think.

you might be able to trick the ecu by leaving the micro switches in the car and bending them to the correct “open” state but I’d be more worried about fixing the capote cover. I also wonder about weight distribution but maybe that’s alright. I’m an accountant not an engineer.

interesting idea but I think you’d be better served to just open it and leave it there (assuming you don’t care about your top fabric getting creased or worn).

 

I have been using mine manually. It takes 1-2 minutes total to fully retract and open. Drain the fluid and unplug the capote ECU on the driver's side. Now, it's 100% reliable and no need for any stalls or jams. You will get a few capote failure beeps upon starting the car, but it shuts off in about 10 seconds. No warnings, no worries.

 

I think the OP is more interested in the weight saving. From memory I think all the hood and associated parts are pretty heavy so you would see the effects of this weight loss.

Any ECU gremlins could be just coded out.

 

Usually, when you want weight savings in a convertible, you buy the coupe.

 

Oh right and then, what cut the roof off?

 

Leave the roof for rigidity and strip out the entire interior... and add a drink button for that race car feel...
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I looked into removing the entire capote mechanism, leaving the tub, capote lid and the flaps intact. The actuators (hydraulic ram now) would have to be replaced with linear actuators and the ECU would probably have to remain with the proper contacts closed. That's it though. The hinges for the lid have a built in locking mechanism. I'd leave the microswitches for the capote lid functional so there would be an indication that the capote lid isn't secured. The capote area where the top was stored would make for a dandy "trunk" storage area. I think a few golf clubs could be stored there for fun.

Overall, a very doable process that would be reversible. The 360 was designed first as a Spider, and then they added a roof, so there's no stiffness penalty for the Spider. The capote adds nothing to that either, except about 100 kilos. So that weight would be gone. Figure like an increase of 20 to 30 hp for the loss in car weight.

 

I think as long as the right microswitches are switched (or not switched) and placed off to the side, there shouldn't be an issue. It's not like the car knows you have a mechanism there, it's just looking for the right combo of switches to be activated. Easiest way would be to keep the harness intact and bundled out of the way.

 

If it wasn't for the weight savings I would have suggested the Op put the top down (since it works) and leave it down.
I put mine down in the spring and put it up for the winter hibernation period 7 months later. If I'm out and about and worried about rain I put the windows up and leave it covered with a 'Smart Car' cover (sort of a half size car cover over the top half). Been working it like this for 4 years now. No need to operate the top just to park it in a secure garage.

 

I would do this all day if I was not told leaving the top down is a bad thing from the specialist.

 

I

It’s only bad if you don’t want creases

 

I bought mine with creases but because I mostly drive it with the top down that does not bother me.
In the summer when it gets really, really hot I put on the AC. Yes, I know that's probably bad for the enviro
..... and to those offended, I already gave at the office
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Never heard of this before. I replaced most of my straps 5 years ago (Summer, elastic straps, needle, thread and lots of beer) and is using the mod from @LorenzoR for the main bar. Works like a charm.

 

@Malakas No, I didn't remove the hydraulics. I just use the manual lock at the top of the windshield to unlock the top then fold it back. When I do that, the rear portion of the soft top automatically lifts up and allows access to the capote cover. I pop the engine cover to give me leverage to lift up slightly on the rear of the hard cover, then I close the engine cover, lift up on the capote cover to open it fully (now that I can get my fingers underneath it) and fold the top back and down into the tub. Then just slide the capote cover in place and you're in business. The only drawback has to do with the small cosmetic covers that are motor controlled. Those stay open. After a year and a half, nobody noticed them but it bothers me so I may connect a switch directly to the fuse box that allows me to remotely control that.

It sounds like a ton of work but in reality it's 45 seconds and it's 100% reliable. I drive my car daily so I like the reliability of a manual top in a 24 year old car. I originally intended on fixing it but I have a bent piece in the drivers side linkage and I haven't been able to find it to replace. There was one on eBay but it sold quickly and nobody else has it. So, until then, it's manual lol.

 

@DiSomma6 - how do you lock the Capote cover?

 

I posted this in another thread. not sure how you are doing it safely (for the car) by your self